A Moment to Say Thanks

Today I awaken to a silent house. For the first time in days, I am alone. Brian is off at work, family and friends are back to their normal routine, and I am left here, in my quiet house, with my thoughts.

Too easily could I get swept away by all the terrible things that have happened in the last twenty-four hours. My heart is broken for those families and teachers, first-responders and hospital staff. I have not had a moment to shed tears for them yet. Up until now there has been enough to keep my mind occupied. 

But instead I choose to cling stubbornly, selfishly, to the happy moments of the past several days. We've had so much to celebrate, so many things to be grateful for, so many reasons to smile. 

Brian's pride as he welcomed friends and family---a veritable entourage---to his graduation ceremony on Wednesday...

My own glee at watching my husband reach for his dreams, and succeed.

Being surrounded by friends and family---some related by blood, most related by love---on our important occasion.

Laughter, fun, friendships that feel more like family...

To those who carved time out of their busy lives to celebrate with us this week; for the phone calls and text messages and cards and Facebook messages; for those who braved the rain and the cold to attend the ceremony; to those we love the most, we send you a heartfelt thanks. You made an important day into a party. And we were humbled and overwhelmed by the love we felt. 

And from me to each and every one of you, a hearty thanks for making my husband feel like a total rock star, because even though I remind him of that status every day, I don't think he always hears me.

So today I will reminisce. I will relive those moments of jubilation and joviality. I will wrap myself up in those feelings. I will remind myself of all we have to be grateful for. I will hug my family tighter, tell my friends that I love them, and focus my attention on living this life to the fullest. And I will smile today, even though my heart weeps for others who know not my joy. That is the greatest gift I can give to myself and to the world today. And I have you, our nearest and dearest, to thank for it.

I've Still Got Sand in My Shoes

Yesterday. Was. Magical.

Just me, the sand, the sun and the surf.

It served as a reminder:


1) Days in the sunshine are delicious.
2) The Atlantic Ocean is still, in fact, there. (It had been so long, I was beginning to wonder.)
3) SPF 50 is a slight exaggeration, especially when your skin is normally the color of skim milk.


Perhaps next Wednesday, I'll use SPF 1,000. (Or maybe I'll wear a tarp. A tent. A burka?)

The spot from which I blogged yesterday.

I spent the first 45 minutes of my beach trip snapping pictures, playing with camera angles and sunlight and framing...

A path into the sea

Sun rising on my Perfect Day

I kicked those insecurity beasties and took a few self-portaits as well:

...with wild flowers in her hair...

...she watched the tide roll in...

I spent the rest of my day swimming, reapplying sunscreen, reading, reapplying sunscreen, sleeping, reapplying sunscreen, and tweeting (more on that tomorrow). 


I had such a wonderful day, I'm thinking of making it a weekly ritual. Can you take more seashore-sent blogs every Wednesday of the summer, readers?


I promise not to rub it in too much.


And to spend each Wednesday filled with gratitude for having sandy toes.


♥     ☼     ♥     ☼     ♥     ☼     ♥     ☼     ♥     ☼     ♥     ☼     ♥     ☼     ♥     ☼     ♥     ☼     ♥  


Talking about being grateful--a HUGE thank you goes out to my new friend, Simone--author of Great Fun 4 Kids--for introducing AbbyGabs to her readers today. I am truly humbled, touched, and grateful!! This wonderful author/photographer/mom deserves much more than a footnote, which she will get soon! I just wanted to say thanks so much for loving my silly little blog.